Promise of Forever
      Chapter 5
 

Michelle is setting at a table in Company, Kevin, her ever present shadow is sitting at the bar keeping a watchful eye on her. Kevin is noticing how sad Michelle looks, he knows she's not sleeping, and she cries all night long, he can hear her pacing the floor and he hears her trying to cry silently, but she's not very successful.

Michelle is lost in her own thoughts trying to keep from breaking down, yet again. "What was I thinking coming here, this is not helping. I guess I was better off all alone at the lighthouse, but I can't take that either." Its been 3 1/2 weeks since she has seen Danny and over a week since she last talked to him, and that conversation was awful, he was so short with her and distant, he practically hung up on her, and he didn't even tell her loved her. The only way she has known that he is still safe is through Kevin, he tells her that Danny is fine, but Bernardo is watching him like a hawk, and Danny is working very hard to get the information he needs to complete their plan. Bernardo has been sending Danny to all the family business meetings, so Danny is learning all about their organization. Michelle is on the verge of tears yet again when who but Theresa walks in. "Great this is just what I need", Michelle mutters under her breath.

Theresa sees Michelle at her table and laughs to herself at how lost and alone Michelle looks. Deciding to make her feel worse Theresa put on her self satisfied smile, and struts over to Michelle's table.

"Hello, Michelle, how wonderful to see you."

"I wish I could say the same, but I can't. Look, I'm really busy, so if you don't you can just move on."

"Oh, I will in a minute Michelle, but first I wanted to tell you how blissfully happy Danny and I are."

"Look Theresa, I'm really not interested so please just spare me the details."

Theresa laughs, "I won't give you all the intimate details, but I did want to tell you, one thing. You must have had a very hard time satisfying Danny, because when he makes love to me, which is multiple times a day, he acts like he is making up for lost time. I don't know what you were thinking, you were never woman enough for Danny. I know how he likes his women, and it's not, petite, little blondes, with no imagination, and very little experience. He likes his women dark, with long legs that can wrap around him and drive his body wild, and Honey, that's me. I can do things to Danny that you would never imagine."

Michelle is fighting to maintain control over her tears, "Well, Theresa, I'm glad you are both happy, now if you'll excuse me I have to go."

Michelle walks out of Company, with all the strength she has, once outside she collapsed to the ground her body racked with sobs. She somehow manages to get herself home, all the while her head having a battle with her heart. Her head is telling her everything Theresa said is true, Danny has decided he doesn't want her and their life, he has realized that Theresa is his past, she understands him, and with her is the life he wants to build. That would explain why Danny has come to see her, why his calls have been less and less frequent, and his distance when he does call her. He just hasn't gotten the courage to tell her that he doesn't want her, doesn't love her anymore. Her heart says that Theresa was just trying to get to her, trying to hurt her. It's telling her Danny does still love her and wants their life, he is so busy trying to fix everything and he's being watched so he is just be careful. Unfortunately her head is winning the argument. Michelle decides that she will let go, let go of Danny and her hopes and dreams for the future, and it breaks her heart.

Kevin has seen the whole situation between Michelle and Theresa unfold, he knows that Theresa is lying through her teeth, and it takes all of his willpower not to choke the life out of her. He looses Michelle for a bit after she ran out of Company, but he found her back at the lighthouse. He was going to go and try to talk to her, convince her that Theresa was just saying those things because she wanted to hurt her, because Danny does not love Theresa, and he never will, and she knows it, and in her sick mind, she figured if she could convince Michelle of it, somehow Danny would come to her. Kevin decides there is only one person who can fix this, and it has to be now, no mater what the risk. "Yeah, it's me. Listen, don't argue and don't get mad, you have to come to the lighthouse NOW, you don't have a choice."

Danny begins to shake at the sound and tone of Kevin's voice on the end of the phone. He knows something terrible has happened to Michelle, he runs out of the house, and somehow manages to get to the lighthouse without killing himself or anyone else. Michelle is no where to be found when he walks in, but he knows she's here somewhere, he can feel her and he knows she's in pain. He runs up to the observation deck and through the window he sees her. Her shoulders shaking uncontrollably, her body racked with sobs.

Michelle hears the door open, and without looking she knows it's him. She doesn't want to face him and as he walks towards her she runs the other way, getting to the stairs before he does, she runs back inside, hoping to get out the door. She's almost there, when she hears his footsteps running to her, the sound is deafening, the man who was her knight, her protector. Just as she opens the door his hand reaches out and slams it shut, his other hand on her waist turning her around. In his eyes she sees the same terror and pain she is feeling. She can't take it anymore.

"Danny, please, it's OK, you don't have to explain. I understand you want her and not me, Theresa told me everything and I won't fight you."

"Berta Michelle Bauer Santos, I don't what the hell you are talking about, and I intend to find out, but right now, I'm going to make you see there is
only one person I want and that's you."

"Dan..." Michelle's response is cut off with a crushing kiss.